ROC the vote: Need to know info for Election Day 2017

Overview

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The polls are officially open for Election Day 2017 and there are several races locally that will impact Monroe County residents.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren (D) is seeking a second term in office and is being challenged by Monroe County Legislator Tony Micciche (R), Independent candidate Lori Thomas and Green Party candidate Alex White. All three opponents running against Lovely Warren disagree with her decision to build a new performing arts center on Parcel 5, but the mayor is confident that it can become a main attraction in downtown Rochester.

Another high-profile race is the contest for Monroe County Sheriff. Incumbent Republican Patrick O’Flynn is facing off against Democrat Todd Baxter.

“I’ve been in every position in the Sheriff’s office,” said O’Flynn. “I know the organization inside, out. It’s been my family.”

“My experience with the army, my experience with the Rochester Police Department, changing the Greece Police Department from an upside-down police department to one that people could be proud of,” said Baxter.

One of the largest towns in Upstate New York will hold a vote for new leadership as candidates run for Greece Town Supervisor. Retired police officer Jim Leary is looking to unseat incumbent Greece Town Supervisor and Monroe County GOP chair Bill Reilich (R), who has held the office since 2014. Leary switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat for the race.

Three candidates are also vying for the seat of Henrietta Town Supervisor. Republican and incumbent Henrietta Supervisor Jack Moore is challenged by Democrat opponent Steve Schultz and Jeffrey Kueppers, a lifelong Henrietta resident running on the “Bright Future Political Party.”

There are also three propositions on the back of the ballot.

Proposal number one is whether or not to review the entire constitution and potentially make changes at a Constitutional Convention. Proponents say it will hold government accountable, create more equitable election district, and allow New Yorkers to take up issues that the legislature may not, like term limits. Opponents say it would be a waste of taxpayer money and could roll back on collective-bargaining rights, state pensions and civil liberties.

Proposal number two is an amendment to the state constitution that would allow for an elected official to lose part, or all of their pension if they are convicted of a felony. That felony would have to have a direct relationship to the performance of their job.

The third and final proposal would allow municipalities in the Adirondacks and Catskills to put additional bike trails, sewer and utility lines along roads in the state forest preserve.

The Monroe County Board of Elections expects 33 to 34 percent of voters will make it to the polls in this local election year. Those numbers are a far cry from more than 76 percent of voters who voted last year; a presidential year. However, that 33 percent number could be the highest in the last few local election years.

Additionally, for those who experience voting troubles today, there is somewhere to reach out for help. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has a special hotline staffed by members of his office.

The AG encourages voters who have issues at the polls to call 1-800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. The hotline is open until 9 p.m. Tuesday. The hotline was established in 2012 as part of Schneiderman’s effort to reduce barriers to voting